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| FishTails |
Merical & Harmon Wrap-Up Buddy Trail Championship
[August 13, 2002] - Chris Lawrence
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| Ryan Harmon and Jim Merical, 2002 Buddy Trail Champions |
Consistency is the name of the game when it comes to competitive fishing. That's the key that Ripley's Jim Merical
and Ryan Harmon point to when asked what made the difference in 2002 for them along the West Virginia Bass Federation's
Buddy Trail.
"We never did anything really great this year." Says Harmon, "But we were always successful and
steady."
"That's what it takes." Says Merical.
It's the fourth year the Jackson County pair has fished together after a chance meeting helped them hook up with
a fishing future.
"We met each other when we worked together at Kroger's in Ripley." Says Merical.
"We both liked to fish and just decided we'd try to win a few of these things." Says Harmon of the fateful
encounter.
Although it's their first Buddy Trail Championship, success is no stranger to Merical and Harmon. Merical has been
on the state team three times and Harmon has been once. That same year, Harmon won the state's berth in the Federation
National Championship. He was the youngest competitor in the field and really wishes he had that back.
"I didn't know what to expect when I went there." Says Harmon looking back on his greenest days of fierce
competition. "I got down there and let a lot of those guys intimidate me. I hadn't even driven a boat but
a time or two!"
Both would relish the opportunity for another crack at national competition. With several years of successful fishing
locally, each thinks the outcome might be different the next time.
"We've fished 13 opens together this year." Says Harmon while reflecting on 2002, "We've moneyed
in all but four of those."
While fishing against good competition along the Buddy Trail has helped hone their skills as anglers, both men
are quick to credit their membership in the well-established Big Bend Bassmasters Club as one of their biggest
assets.
"We've got some great fishermen in that club." Says Merical. "They're a great bunch of guys and
have taught us a lot."
Harmon agrees.
"I'd say that's the one big thing that's really helped our fishing. That's tough competition. A lot of guys
in Big Bend have been on the state team several times.
It's those experiences in Big Bend that have taught the two the importance of fishing clean and saying consistent.
"Every time we go our first goal is to catch a limit." Says Harmon. "Sometimes that makes us key
on areas that have numbers of fish, but not necessarily big fish. But, if you can catch a limit every time you
go out in West Virginia, you'll do well."
A championship plaque on the wall of both men serves as a tribute to that philosophy.
Consistency is also the key for the Buddy Trail's runners-up for 2002. John Burdette and Jim Summers secured second
place after a monster finish and win on the Mon River. It was a finish the two knew would be a challenge.
"Every year we start he season with the goal of winning the championship." Laughs Burdette. " But
when you finish 45th in the first tournament of the year. You know it's going to be a struggle."
"You have to be consistent." Adds Summers. "You may not win as many, but if you stick with the game
plan and get a break or two you'll be there. Like John says when you blank in the first one of the year, it gets
a lot tougher."
Summers and Burdette have enjoyed their share of success. Both have made the state team on several occasions. Burdette
also fished the Federation National Championship, the same year B.A.S.S. Federation legend Bryan Kerchel qualified
for the Classic he eventually won. Summers is the defending 2001 State Tournament Champion. Fishing together the
last four years, Summers and Burdette have finished in the top four three of those years.
Also winning an automatic berth into the State Tournament through the Buddy Trial are Lester Marsh and Alan Fluharty.
Although fierce fishermen, the pair admit they have a real tough time with their consistency.
"We stunk at Sutton and we stunk at Summersville." Laughs Fluharty. "We always stink at Sutton and
we always stink at Summersville. I guess it's because we're river fishermen."
They proved it in 2002 with three-second place finishes in the river tournaments.
Fluharty credits his partner as the key to their success. He says the quiet Marsh is a big help.
"The reason we've been able to do well is this man right here." As Marsh cracks a grin. "He's laid
back and SLOWWWWWWS me down. That's what I need because I get wired, and he keeps me from getting to jacked up."
Father and son team Robert and Robbie Fleshman secured the fourth place spot in the Buddy Trail standings for the
year. The Fleshmans are previous Buddy Trail champions themselves and won this year's event at Summersville. The
elder Fleshman says it's been a tough year despite the high finish.
"It's probably the worst year we've had on tournaments. I think the weather has really made a big difference
for us. We just haven't been able to produce fish like we normally do."
While plaques, checks, and recognition are nice. Perhaps Harmon summarized the feelings of all Buddy Trail Competitors
best.
"I love fishing and the competition, but you get a lot of fellowship with a lot of great guys. That's a big
part of why we like the Federation."
Spoken like a true champion.
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| 2002 Buddy Trail Champions |
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